The Most Beautiful German Language Manuscripts
The history of the German language begins around 6000 years ago with its Indo-European roots, from which the Germanic languages developed over time. One of these was Old High German, which was spoken in the Early Middle Ages. The oldest surviving German-language book, which contains a fascinating glossary of words and phrases in Old High German, originates from this period.
Starting in the middle of the 11th century, the language developed into Middle High German, which continued to be strongly influenced by dialect, but was already much closer to modern German. This linguistic epoch was strongly influenced by courtly minnesong and literary works such as the Nibelungenlied and Gottfried von Strassburg's Tristan and Isolde.
In the 15th century, the evolution of Early New High German began with the invention of book printing. The dissemination of unified texts in large quantities led to the first standardization of the (written) German language, in which Martin Luther's Bible translation of 1522 was a key factor. Some of the most magnificent German-language manuscripts, such as the Lucerne Chronicle of Diebold Schilling, also date from this period:
The opulent masterpiece of the famous Swiss chronicler Diebold Schilling the Younger: the threshold from the Middle Ages to the Renaissance in hundreds of overflowing miniatures in one of the most beautiful chronicles in book history
Lucerne (Switzerland) — 1513
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Created by 18-year-old Narcissus Renner and his father: the extraordinarily beautiful, gold-shining miniatures of a young illuminator commissioned by Susanna of Bavaria
Augsburg (Germany) — 1520
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An artistic mammoth work made in the famous Wenceslas workshop in Prague: a luxurious but never completed magnificent Bible in German with 646 fantastic miniatures for the Roman-German King Wenceslas IV.
Prague (Czech Republic) — 1389–1400
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A magnificent codex from Regensburg, left to the city council for 15 kilograms of silver: golden miniatures by Master Martinus depicting the tragic legend of the Trojan War in a unique German translation
Regensburg (Germany) — 1432–1456
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From everyday common law to special feudal rights: the most important German legal text and the first German-language prose work of the Middle Ages with 337 picture strips as a witness to 14th century everyday life
Harz (Germany) — Beginning of the 14th century
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A unique treasure of German literature, medieval history, and Gothic illumination: the famous Great Heidelberg Song Manuscript with nearly 6,000 stanzas of courtly love lyrics and 137 full-page miniatures
Zurich / Lake Constance area (Zwitzerland) — After 1310 until ca. 1340
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German-language prayers illuminated by one of the greatest masters of the 15th century: Stephan Lochner's masterfully historiated initials as a great testimony to the "Soft Style" of the International Gothic
Cologne (Germany) — 1451
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Practical reference instructions for all situations: 47 lively and high-quality miniatures, vignettes, and marginalia giving captivating insights into everyday life in the Late Middle Ages
Probably Middle Rhine region (Germany) — Ca. 1470–1480
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Wolfram von Eschenbach's opus magnum in a unique testimony of German literature around 1200: an early copy of the famous epic poem with four splendid full-page miniatures on the adventures of Parzival
Probably Swabia (Germany) — Around 1240
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Created long before Luther and adorned with over 550 expressive miniatures: the stories of the Bible and world history united in a large Bible Historiale in German vernacular from 1467
South Germany — 1467
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One of the few surviving illuminated German language prayer books: a magnificent work adorned with 46 beautiful miniatures of exceptional quality for the imperial steward and his wife
Swabia (Germany) — 1476
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The legendary main work of the great poet Gottfried von Strasbourg: the oldest surviving manuscript of perhaps the most beautiful German love story of the Middle Ages with 30 expressive picture pages
Strasbourg (France) — Second quarter of the 13th century
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Traces of Mannerism in German Renaissance illumination: 42 stunning full-page miniatures by the famous Gabriel Glockendon for a powerful prince of the church and great patron of the arts
Nuremberg and Halle (Germany) — 1536–1537
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The oldest German language martyrology: a magnificent manuscript about the lives of the martyrs with 366 expressive pen and ink drawings, skillfully integrated into the text and lavishly colored with rich primary colors, gold and silver
Thuringia (Germany) — Ca. 1275
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The heroic epic about Siegfried and Hagen and the courtly society of the Late Middle Ages in 37 masterly pen and ink drawings: the only surviving copy of the famous German saga with a comprehensive picture cycle
Germany — 15th century
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A richly illustrated history of mankind from Creation to the High Middle Ages: the first German-language world chronicle in prose is adorned with over 500 wonderful miniatures
Braunschweig or Lüneburg (Germany) — 1270/1279
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The oldest surviving book in the German language, named after its first entry: a valuable glossary with around 3,700 words and more than 14,600 examples and idioms in Old High German
Southwestern Germany — Late 8th century
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